Miyamoto: People will eventually depend on a second screen, getting them familiar with Wii U is key

The Wii U probably hasn't taken off quite like Nintendo had hoped, especially with the immediate success of its predecessor the Wii. The company's handhelds have always performed well beyond the competition, too. Even so, Shigeru Miyamoto remains hopeful and continues to say good things about Nintendo's latest hardware.

His latest words of encouragement point to the Wii U's GamePad and what it brings to the gaming scene. While Miyamoto doesn't go out of his way to mention any specifics about the GamePad (we're pretty familiar anyway), he notes its importance as a peripheral, remarking that eventually, people will come to realize how integral it is to the gaming experience.

Yes, that will take time, just like people will need time to warm up to the Wii U. But as always, Miyamoto expresses faith in Nintendo. While the Wii U has plenty of naysayers, he points to the DS handheld's second screen as a prime example of how such a feature can be implemented.

"There was a period when we first released the Nintendo DS that people would say there's no way people can look at two screens at once. I almost feel like, as people get more familiar with Wii U and these touchscreen interfaces, that there is going to come a point where they feel like 'I can't do everything I want to do if I don't have a second screen'."

All this is about more than just gaming, too. Rather, the Wii U has a certain practicality about it, says Miyamoto, that gives it a bigger purpose than just as a gaming device. With the inclusion of non-gaming apps, Nintendo does seem to be headed in a more multimedia direction.

"I feel a device like Wii U, with its ability to continue to offer new features and that network connection and the connection to the TV and the interface, really makes it feel that it's more than just a game machine, but something that offers a lot of practical use and practical purpose in the living room. I look at it as being a very useful device that can do many different things and therefore really seems to be the device that's ideal to have in the living room."

Earlier in March, Shigeru Miyamoto also promised improvements to the Wii U system by summer, which would aid in the overall performance. Well, he's sticking to that promise, explaining that Nintendo's "immediate objective" at the moment is to stabilize the Wii U.

"Our immediate objective over the next few months is to improve the Wii U system and make it a little more stable, a little bit more convenient to use from a system standpoint. Miiverse (a sort of social network that lets players interact) is an example of an ongoing project. We really wanted to be able to leverage Miiverse in something like 'New Super Mario Bros. U.' We're obviously still early on in it and just trying things out, but so far, it does feel like the community itself is doing a very good job of being a warm and welcoming place for people.

"The other thing I think about is how do we begin getting people to understand that and convey the usefulness of Wii U to them. For me as a game developer, obviously I look at Wii U from the perspective of what games I can bring to Wii U."

So far, Miyamoto hasn't expressed much concern over the Wii U's slower-than-expected start. Previously, he did admit that the GamePad was his favorite part of the whole package, saying he was excited for its potential. Miyamoto also reasoned that Nintendo hadn't targeted online gaming until now due to a worry of limiting their consoles' mass appeal.

I hope he's right about people in general catching on to having two screens to play on otherwise the Wii U may turn out to be a bust. This combined with Microsoft forcing online connectivity (still not confirmed) could help drive Wii U sales, though could also drive PS4 sales as well.

The price of the game pad is high so I hope it is durable, most of Nintendo's hardware usually is, because if it is somewhat easy to break many people will be pissed.

It feels like Nintendo are relying too heavily on the dual screen thing to market the console. It is a nice feature yes, but not something that ships units unlike the motion controllers in the Wii which attracted mainstream/casual users. It also kind of defeats their whole "multiplat" goal (if thats even still valid considering how much more powerful the PS4/720 will be) considering it will require devs to independently code for it.

Sure it offers new and intuitive experiences to gaming, but I'm not sure touch is a way of progression in gaming control (other than casual titles) considering it offers very little by way of tactile feedback. In addition, the DS isn't a fair comparison considering the screens were significantly smaller and at similar focus points as opposed to a distant presumably large screen TV and near by tablet.

I think Microsoft have this right with XBOX smart glass for controlling console functions, its not integrated into gaming, but it offers ALOT of value. I mean outside of gaming does the Wii U tablet offer anything more than users could get from their mobile phone?

My first experience with Disgaea, a turn based strategy game (FFTA, Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, that sort of deal), was on the DS. Top screen had all the normal fare, bottom screen was a top-down view of the map and simple labels. So you had fancy up top, and then information dump bottom if you needed it. Was really nice and actually depended on it a lot, much of the game in Disgaea is randomly generated maps, so huge height differences that made understand map topology from an angle wasn't uncommon. Years later, played Disgaea 4 on the PS3, and couldn't help but miss the old simple-map from the second screen.

I have my doubts about the WiiU, so far it's had quite a struggle to find a spot in the market. Interested to see how that will develop over time, and if a dual-screen setup for consoles will really take root.

I hope he's right about people in general catching on to having two screens to play on otherwise the Wii U may turn out to be a bust. This combined with Microsoft forcing online connectivity (still not confirmed) could help drive Wii U sales, though could also drive PS4 sales as well.

PS4 is most likely going to do the same thing if you take one look at the controller.